tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157530669780468545.post2227129733712275012..comments2024-03-21T21:37:03.772-05:00Comments on Series Books for Girls: Nancy Drew #4 The Mystery at Lilac InnJennifer Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405593758228423001noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157530669780468545.post-53752505800606909972012-01-02T18:35:49.493-06:002012-01-02T18:35:49.493-06:00I meant the stereotypes of the maids were disturbi...I meant the stereotypes of the maids were disturbing, in case it isn't very clear...........Julie Ratcliffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615222127962799255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157530669780468545.post-57353514864179220992012-01-02T18:34:17.916-06:002012-01-02T18:34:17.916-06:00Most of Nancy's early cases seem to helping he...Most of Nancy's early cases seem to helping heiresses claim or regain their lost fortunes. However, I am somewhat surprised at your referring to the Drews as "upper class". By the standards of the time they are drawn as a rather modest upper-middle class household. They only have one servant; according to Emily Post, a "small" house needed at least 3 servants (cook, waitress, housemaid) to run properly. Hannah would have brought in extra help when the Drews were entertaining "prominent" guests. Most households at the time had some kind of help. Even very simple housework took a great deal of time and hard work. I expect that most girls who had money and time to read the books had a maid or housekeeper in their own homes. I also found the stereotypes rather disturbing (even as a youngster).<br />The Tophams (in Old Clock) are portrayed as wealthy with a large house and multiple servants including a butler, I think.<br />That said, I have to agree that Mrs. Willoughby seems like she's dumber than a box o' rocks. Imagine taking all those jewels to lunch! However, if people were smarter our girl would have nothing to detect.<br />I grew up reading the original texts. I only think 4 or 5 had been revised by the time I had moved on to more adult reading.Julie Ratcliffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615222127962799255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157530669780468545.post-74248007410501176582011-12-20T03:32:31.606-06:002011-12-20T03:32:31.606-06:00Written by a young lady, perchance?Written by a young lady, perchance?Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15739786962025278062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7157530669780468545.post-67324658213824898562011-12-19T14:10:29.421-06:002011-12-19T14:10:29.421-06:00I agree with your comments about the original text...I agree with your comments about the original text of Lilac Inn, which I reread a few days ago. I think the revised text is a more tightly plotted story, without some of the irritating elements of the original. I think that condensing the originals was problematic, to say the least. Unfortunately it was done badly a little too oftenMiranda Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18214710626330587150noreply@blogger.com